APSDMA launches “Smart Thermal Alarm Card” to provide real-time temperature, DOS and non-compliant

The smart thermal alert card issued by APSDMA in Tadepalli was released on Saturday to help citizens understand the heatwave conditions in their location. |Picture source: Arrangement

Andhra Pradesh National Disaster Management Agency (APSDMA) has launched the “Smart Thermal Alarm Card” used in physical and online formats to provide citizens with timely, critical heat wave information and ensure public safety during heat waves.

G. Jayalakshmi, Special Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Taxation and Disaster Management, launched the card on May 17 at the APSDMA office in Tadepalli, an initiative aimed at empowering every citizen with the knowledge and resources to protect themselves from the risks of heatwaves.

The card has an explanatory nature of QR codes, a list of DOS and NOTS, and four color-coded thermal risk levels. Once the card is received, once the QR code is scanned from the phone individually, the APSDMA website raises the real-time temperature in the color-coded box of its location.

If the temperature is below 35 degrees Celsius, the color that appears is blue (safe), yellow (keep alert) if the temperature is between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius, orange (ready), if the temperature is between 41 and 44 degrees Celsius, 45 degrees Celsius or more Celsius or more, it is red (extremely dangerous).

In distributing these cards and water bottles to citizens of Tadepalli and surrounding areas, the Chief Secretary emphasized the importance of leaving DOS and NOTS in extreme heat conditions. She also encourages citizens to call the APSDMA phone number, 1070/1800-425-0101, available 24/7 if any emergency occurs during the summer.

Ronanki Kurmanath, managing director of APSDMA, said that not only can real-time updates be obtained through QR codes, but also can be accurately secured. The card is part of their ongoing efforts to protect citizens from the dangers of heat waves, he said.

APSDMA has forwarded the card to all regional governments, which later placed it in public places and became popular through online media.